Printing system, method for controlling a printing system, image forming apparatus, controller of print system, and storage medium

ABSTRACT

Confidentiality of a job that requires authentication processing prior to printing is maintained as much as possible. A method for controlling a printing system is provided that is capable of receiving a plurality of types of print jobs including a first type print job that requires authentication processing prior to printing and a second type print job that does not require authentication processing prior to printing, comprising the steps of allowing the printing system to execute a specific operation for allowing the printing system to start printing of a target job in case where resources required to complete printing of the target job are present in the printing system and causing the printing system to execute the specific operation in case where the target job is the first type job.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to printing systems provided with securityfunctions, methods for controlling printing systems, image formingapparatuses, print system controllers, and storage media.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, in business offices, an environment in which one printingapparatus that is connected to a network is shared by a plurality ofclient computers has been spreading. This is due to increased use ofnetworked business equipment. In such an environment, it is possiblethat a third party removes or views the outputted printed materialwithout permission. Such a situation becomes a problem in the case ofprinting while ensuring security. For example, one such situation wouldinclude printing of confidential or personal information that should notbe seen by a third party.

As a method to solve the above-described problem, a function called“confidential printing” (also referred to as “secure printing”) is known(for example, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2003-186657). In confidential printing, a printer driver that transmitsa password along with the print job data is installed in advance on aclient computer. Then, upon instructing a printing apparatus to performprint processing using this printer driver, the print job data and thepassword are transmitted to the printer. A printing apparatus that hasreceived the print job data and the password does not start the printprocess immediately, but temporarily saves the print job data and thepassword data in a storage medium in the printing apparatus.

When a user wishes to perform printing using the printing apparatusbased on the print job data, the user performs the following operations.Initially, utilizing a user interface provided on the printingapparatus, the user causes a print job list, for example, to bedisplayed on the user interface. Then, the user selects the target printjob from the displayed job list and enters a password. Only when theentered password and the password that is stored in the storage mediumtogether with the print job data match, does the printing apparatusstart the print process based on the print job data. At this time, sincethe user is already in front of the printing apparatus, the user canreceive the printed confidential documents without the documents beingseen or removed by a third party. It should be noted that in the presentspecification, such a print job for which an authentication process isperformed prior to printing is referred to as a “secure print job”.

However, consider the case where, after the print process of a secureprint job is actually started on the printing apparatus, the printingapparatus has an “out of paper” event during a secure print job. In sucha case, the user may leave the printing apparatus to obtain paper forreplenishment. In other words, the possibility that the proper user isabsent in front of the printing apparatus for a certain period of timecan be foreseen. In such a case, there may arise the possibility that athird party sees the printed materials of the secure print job duringthe absence of the proper user and the confidentiality of the print datais compromised. As one of countermeasures to the above-describedproblem, the user of the secure print job may, when the user leaves theprinting apparatus to deal with an “out of paper” event or the like,remove the material already printed in order to keep them confidential.However, remaining problems can be anticipated which are difficult toaddress even with such a countermeasure. For example, if certainfinishing processing such as stapling are specified for the secure printjob, a new problem that may arise is that the desired finishingprocessing cannot be performed if the printed materials are removedbefore the completion of the print process.

In addition, upon recovery from an event such as an “out of paper”event, even if paper for replenishment is prepared near the printingapparatus, a certain period of time is required to perform the recoveryprocess. In this case, the time required from the start of printing ofthe secure print job to the completion thereof is prolonged by the timetaken for performing the recovery process compared with the timerequired in the case where printing is completed without the recoveryprocessing. In other words, it is anticipated that the printed output ofthe secure print job is exposed to a higher risk of being seen by athird party in the case where printing of the secure print job iscompleted with the recovery process, compared to the case where printingof the secure print job can be completed without the recovery process.

Further, it is important to ensure that, in dealing with a problem suchas the one described above, other new problems do not arise, therebyreducing productivity. Thus, there still remain problems with regard tosecure print jobs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides printing systems and methods forcontrolling printing systems that overcome the above-described problem.

An object of the present invention is to build a practical printingenvironment that can flexibly address the problems described in thesection “Description of the Related Art”.

For example, it is an object of the present invention to reduce thepossibility that an interrupting event occurs during a job that requiresauthentication prior to printing after printing has started, so as tomaintain confidentiality of jobs that require authentication prior toprinting. A further object of the present invention is to reduce thepossibility that, in order to achieve the above objects, the desiredfinishing processing is not performed for the printed material of jobsthat require authentication prior to printing.

It is a further object of the present invention to prevent, as much aspossible, new problems such as that the productivity of other jobs isaffected in order to achieve the above-described object.

Objects of the present invention are to maintain confidentiality of jobsthat require authentication prior to printing, reduce the possibilitythat other problems where desired finishing processing is not performedarise, and also to prevent, as much as possible, the arising of otherproblems such as that the productivity of other jobs is affected.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided aprinting system capable of receiving a plurality of types of print jobsincluding a first type of print job that requires authenticationprocessing prior to printing and a second type of print job that doesnot require authentication processing prior to printing, the printingsystem comprising: a controller adapted to allow the printing system toexecute a specific operation for allowing the printing system to startprinting of a target job with the printing system, in a case whereresources required to complete printing of the target job are present inthe printing system, wherein the controller causes the printing systemto execute the specific operation in the case where the target job is aprint job of the first type.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method for controlling a printing system capable of receiving aplurality of types of print jobs including a first type of print jobthat requires authentication processing prior to printing and a secondtype of print job that does not require authentication processing priorto printing, comprising the steps of: allowing the printing system toexecute a specific operation for allowing the printing system to startprinting of a target job, in a case where resources required to completeprinting of the target job are present in the printing system, andcausing the printing system to execute the specific operation in casewhere a target job is a print job of the first type.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan image forming apparatus that performs the above described method forcontrolling a printing system.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda controller of a printing system that performs the above describedmethod for controlling a printing system.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitutea part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the inventionand, together with the description, serve to explain the principle ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a printing system of a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image formingapparatus of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a devicecontroller of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation unit of the image formingapparatus.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a scanner unitof the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a scannercontroller of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a printer unitof the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a finisher unit of theimage forming apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an externalcontroller of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a printerdriver.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary detailed print setting screenof the printer driver.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an exemplary display of a print statusscreen of the image forming apparatus.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart describing the process of confidential printingaccording to the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an exemplary display of the print statusscreen during image accumulation.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an exemplary display of the print statusscreen after image accumulation.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of print information indicatingprint settings and paper to be used for printing according to the firstembodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a password input screen withwarning according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a password input screenwithout warning according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart describing the process of confidential printingaccording to a second embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an exemplary screen displayed when printingof another confidential print job is being performed in the secondembodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the print status screendisplayed when priority processing at the start of a confidential printis performed in the second embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an exemplary warning screen according to athird embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings,

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a printing system100 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing aconfiguration of an image forming apparatus 101 in the printing system100 according to the first embodiment. An overview of functions of theprinting system of the present embodiment is described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

An image forming apparatus 101 is a color scanner/printer apparatus thatcan perform full-color scanning, full-color printing and the like. Theimage forming apparatus 101 is connected to an external controller 104via an internal network 102 and a video cable 103 for transmitting imagedata. The external controller 104 is connected to an external network105. A computer terminal 106 is connected to the external network 105.Accordingly, the image forming apparatus 101 is connected to thecomputer terminal 106 via the external network 105.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 101 includes a scannerunit 201 and a printer unit 202, and is provided with a copy functionfor printing an image that has been read with the scanner unit 201 withthe printer unit 202. An operation unit 203 serves as a user interface.That is, the operation unit 203 has an input device for a user toinstruct performing a function of the image forming apparatus 101 or toperform operation settings in order to perform that function. Inaddition, the operation unit 203 includes a display device for informinga user of the state of the image forming apparatus 101.

A device controller 204 inside the image forming apparatus 101 performsthe overall operation control, state control and image processing of theimage forming apparatus 101. For example, the device controller 204controls the operation of the scanner unit 201 and the printer unit 202as described above, and performs processes for user instructions/statedisplays from an operation unit 203. The device controller 204 alsoprocesses image data handled in the scanner unit 201 or the printer unit202, and controls data transmission with the external controller 104that is connected via the internal network 102. It should be noted thata finisher unit 205 for performing postprocessing activities such asstapling is connected downstream of the printer unit 202. The finisherunit 205 is an optional unit, and the image forming apparatus 101 doesnot have to be provided with the finisher unit 205.

In the printing system 100 of the present embodiment, a documentprepared by a computer is transmitted from the computer terminal 106 tothe external controller 104 via the external network 105 in the form ofpage-description language (PDL) data. The external controller 104develops the received PDL image data into an image, and creates imagedata in a format that can be printed with the image forming apparatus101. The external controller 104 transmits the created image data to theimage forming apparatus 101 via the video cable 103, and at the sametime communicates operation settings during printing and various typesof information related to the image data to be sent out via the videocable 103, using the internal network 102. The image forming apparatus101 performs printing based on the image data received from the externalcontroller 104 via the video cable 103 and the various types ofinformation received via the internal network 102. In this manner, theprinting system 100 of the present embodiment realizes a network printerfunction for printing the PDL data transmitted from the computerterminal 106 via a network with the image forming apparatus 101.

The external controller 104 has a function for developing the PDL datasent out from the computer terminal 106 into an image in two types ofcolor spaces, namely, RGB color space and CMYK color space, usingprofiles for performing color space conversion. The external controller104 transfers images expressed in the RGB and CMYK color spaces onto thevideo cable 103. It should be noted that the RGB color space is a colorspace for expressing colors with red, green and blue. Similarly, theCMYK color space is a color space for expressing colors with cyan,magenta, yellow and black.

Further, the printing system of the present embodiment has a networkscanning function for displaying/saving images scanned with the imageforming apparatus 101 on the computer terminal 106. The network scanningfunction can be roughly classified into a pull scanning function and apush scanning function according to the operational mode. In the pullscanning function, a scanning instruction by the user is provided withthe computer terminal 106. In the push scanning function, a scanninginstruction by the user is provided with the operation unit 203 of theimage forming apparatus 101. Specifically, the two functions differ withregard to the mode in which scanning instructions are provided. However,in both the pull scanning function and the push scanning function, theimage forming apparatus 101 reads an image of an original placed inadvance in the scanner unit 201 in response to an instruction by theuser. Then, the image forming apparatus 101 transfers the read image tothe computer terminal 106 in a format suitable for handling with thecomputer terminal 106 via the internal network 102, the externalcontroller 104 and the external network 105.

The image forming apparatus 101 of the printing system of the presentembodiment deals with full-color images, and therefore has an imagequality adjusting function to improve the image quality of the printerunit 202. Such an image quality adjusting function includes two types ofadjustments, that is, density adjustment performed solely by the imageforming apparatus 101 and image quality adjustment performed by printingan electronic document from the computer terminal 106.

In performing the density adjustment solely by the image formingapparatus 101, an image obtained by printing a specified image with theprinter unit 202 is initially read with the scanner unit 201. Thecharacteristics of the printer unit 202 obtained based on this readingare reflected by values of density adjustment, which is performed duringimage processing by the device controller 204. Due to this adjustment,stable images can be printed. The specified image used for printing forthe density adjustment is created by the device controller 204.

On the other hand, image quality adjustment by printing the electronicdocument from the computer terminal 106 is performed under the controlof the external controller 104. Initially, a specified image istransmitted to the image forming apparatus 101 from the externalcontroller 104, and causes the printer unit 202 to print the same. Then,the printed image is read with the scanner unit 201, and the read imageis sent to the external controller 104. The external controller 104recognizes image characteristics of the image forming apparatus 101based on the received image. Then, the recognized characteristics aremaintained by the external controller 104 as values that the externalcontroller 104 references when it develops the PDL data from thecomputer terminal 106 into an image.

[Configuration of the Device Controller 204]

Next, the configuration of the device controller 204 is described withreference to FIG. 3. The device controller 204 includes a CPU 301, aworking memory 302, an image processing unit 303, an image memory 304, ahigh capacity storage device (hereinafter referred to as the “HDD”) 305,a facsimile (FAX) communication unit 306, and a network I/F unit 307.The image processing unit 303 is connected to the scanner unit 201 andthe printer unit 202 via image signal lines 311 and 312, and alsoconnected to the external controller 104 via the video cable 103.Further, the image processing unit 303 is connected to the image memory304. The FAX communication unit 306 is connected to the image memory304.

Image data read with the scanner unit 201 is stored in the HDD 305 viathe image processing unit 303 and the image memory 304. The stored imagedata is sent out to the printer unit 202 via the image memory 304 andthe image processing unit 303 for printing. Similarly, image datainputted from the external controller 104 via the video cable 103 isstored in the HDD 305 via the image processing unit 303 and the imagememory 304. Also, it is possible to perform input and output of imagedata used for facsimile transmission with the FAX communication unit306. By using the function of storing images in the HDD 305, it ispossible to accumulate in the HDD 305 image data inputted from thescanner unit 201 or image data inputted from the external controller 104via the video cable 103, without immediately outputting the same to theoutside. Consequently, a so-called box function is realized. With thebox function, it is possible to print/fax, in accordance with theinstructions from the operation unit 203, the images accumulated in theHDD 305 when the user desires to print or fax the same, or to share theimages accumulated in the HDD 305 among a plurality of users.

Further, the printing system of the present embodiment is provided witha file transmitting function for sending out images accumulated in theHDD 305 to a desired computer terminal connected to the external network105 to reuse the sent image with the computer terminal. In this filetransmitting function, the image processing unit 303 converts the imageaccumulated in the HDD 305 to an image of a file format that isgenerally used in computer terminals, or the like (e.g., JPEG). A fileconverted in this manner can be sent out to a desired computer terminalvia the network interface unit 307, the internal network 102, theexternal controller 104 and the external network 105.

The CPU 301 operates in accordance with programs stored in the HDD 305,and also controls the operation unit 203. The CPU 301 controls variousprocessing units such as the FAX communication unit 306 of theapparatus. The CPU 301 communicates with the printer unit 202 and thescanner unit 201 to synchronize image data transmission. Further, theCPU 301 accesses the network interface unit 307 to communicate with theexternal controller 104 via the internal network 102.

The device controller 204 transmits data stored in the HDD 305 to thecomputer terminal 106 via the internal network 102 and the externalcontroller 104 using a Web service or the like. Conversely, informationfrom the computer terminal 106 can be stored in the image memory 304 orthe HDD 305 via the internal network 102 and the external controller 104using a Web service or the like. In this manner, a remote operationservice can be provided in which it is possible to reference the stateof the image forming apparatus 101 or to perform settings of the imageforming apparatus 101 with the computer terminal 106.

[Operation Unit 203]

Next, the operation unit 203 of the image forming apparatus 101 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 4. The operation unit 203 has an LCDdisplay screen 401. The setting status and the operation status of theimage forming apparatus 101 are displayed on the LCD display screen 401.As an example, a copy screen is displayed on an operation setting screen402 in FIG. 4. Zoom settings, paper supply tray settings, the number ofprinted copies or the like for copying are displayed on the copy screen.The display on the LCD display screen 401 changes to screens for usingthe facsimile function and print function with the external controller104, in response to the selection of a function key 403 on the operationsetting screen 402. At the bottom of the liquid crystal display (LCD)screen 401, a status message display portion 404 is provided thatindicates the state of the image forming apparatus 101 or the status ofa function other than the function of the selected function screen.Also, at the lower right, a system status key 405 is capable of changingthe operation setting screen 402 to a system status screen. The state ofthe image forming apparatus 101 or detailed status of functions otherthan the function of the selected function screen can be referenced inthe system status screen. The system status screen is described laterwith reference to FIG. 12.

The operation unit 203 has a numeric keypad 406 for inputting numericsettings. An ID key 407 is for changing the display on the LCD displayscreen 401 to an ID input screen for inputting a user ID for identifyingthe user using the apparatus. When various functions such as copying orfaxing of the image forming apparatus 101 are used, it is required toinput the user ID for identifying the user using the apparatus. The IDinput screen is used for inputting the user ID. A reset key 408 returnsthe setting state of each function set through the operation settingscreen 402 to the default setting state. A detailed setting key 409 isfor changing the display on the LCD display screen 401 to a screen forperforming detailed operation settings of the image forming apparatus101, network settings or the like. A start key 410 and a stop key 411are buttons for starting or stopping the operation of each function.

[Configuration of the Scanner Unit 201]

The configuration of the scanner unit 201 is described with reference toFIG. 5. An original 502 to be read is placed on a platen glass 501. Theoriginal 502 is irradiated by an illuminating lamp 503, and thereflected light forms an image on a CCD 508 by a lens 507 via mirrors504, 505 and 506. A first mirror unit 510 including the mirror 504 andthe illuminating lamp 503 moves at a velocity of v, and a second mirrorunit 511 including the mirrors 505 and 506 moves at a velocity of v/2.As a result of the first and second mirror units 510 and 511 moving inthis manner, the entire surface of the original 502 is scanned. Thefirst mirror unit 510 and the second mirror unit 511 are driven by amotor 509. The operation of the respective mirror units 510 and 511 ofthe scanner unit 201 is controlled by signals from a scanner controllerunit 512. The scanner controller unit 512 controls the operation of themirror units 510 and 511 in accordance with instructions from the devicecontroller 204.

Next, image processing with the scanner controller unit 512 is describedwith reference to FIG. 6. Inputted optical signals are converted intoelectric signals by a CCD sensor 601. The CCD sensor 601 is an RGBthree-line color sensor and each image signal of R, G and B is inputtedto an A/D conversion unit 602. The A/D conversion unit 602 initiallyperforms gain adjustment and offset adjustment to the inputted imagesignals, and thereafter converts the signal of each color to 8-bitdigital image signals R0, G0 and B0 with an A/D converter. A shadingcorrection unit 603 performs publicly known shading correction usingread signals of a standard white board for each color. The respectivecolor line sensors of the CCD sensor 601 are disposed mutually spacedapart at a predetermined distance. Therefore, such spatial displacementin the sub-scanning direction is corrected by a line delay adjustmentcircuit (line interpolation unit) 604.

An input masking unit 605 converts the read color space that isdetermined by the spectral characteristics of R/G/B filters of the CCDsensor 601 into the NTSC standard color space. The input masking unit605 converts the inputted signals (R0, G0 and B0) into standard signals(R, G and B), through a 3×3 matrix operation using constants peculiar tothe apparatus that is obtained taking into account variouscharacteristics such as sensitivity characteristics of the CCD sensor601, spectral characteristics of the illuminating lamp and the like. Aluminance/density conversion unit (LOG conversion unit) 606 isconstituted by a look-up table (LUT), and converts luminance signals ofRGB into density signals of C1, M1 and Y1. Signals converted in thismanner are sent out to the device controller 204.

[Configuration of the Printer Unit 202]

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of the printer unit 202. A polygon mirror701 receives four laser beams emitted by a semiconductor laser drivingunit. One of the laser beams scans a photosensitive drum 705 throughmirrors 702, 703 and 704. Another laser beam scans a photosensitive drum709 through mirrors 706, 707 and 708. Another laser beam scans aphotosensitive drum 713 through mirrors 710, 711 and 712. Another laserbeam scans a photosensitive drum 717 through mirrors 714, 715 and 716.

On the other hand, a developing device 718 supplies yellow (Y) toner andforms a yellow toner image by developing a latent image formed on thephotosensitive drum 705 in accordance with the scanning of the laserbeam. A developing device 719 supplies magenta (M) toner and forms amagenta toner image by developing a latent image formed on thephotosensitive drum 709 in accordance with the scanning of laser beam. Adeveloping device 720 supplies cyan (C) toner and forms a cyan tonerimage by developing a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 713in accordance with the scanning of the laser beam. Further, a developingdevice 721 supplies black (K) toner and forms a black toner image bydeveloping a latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 717 inaccordance with the scanning of the laser beam. Toner images of theabove four colors (Y, M, C and K) are transferred to a sheet and afull-color output image is obtained.

A sheet supplied from one of the sheet cassettes 722 and 723 and amanual feed tray 724 adheres to a transfer belt 726 after passingthrough registration rollers 725, and is transported. In synchronizationwith the timing of paper supply, toners of various colors are developedon the photosensitive drums 705, 709, 713 and 717 in advance, and thetoners are transferred to the sheet as the sheet is transported. Afterthe toners of various colors have been transferred to the sheet, thesheet is separated from the transfer belt 726, and transported to afixing device 728 by a carrying belt 727. The toners are fixed to thesheet in the fixing device 728. After the sheet has passed through thefixing device 728, it is temporarily guided downward by a flapper 729.After the rear end of the sheet has passed through the flapper 729, thesheet is switched back and discharged. As a result, the sheet isdischarged with its surface facing down, so that sheets are dischargedin the correct page order when a document is printed out sequentiallyfrom the first page.

It should be noted that the four photosensitive drums 705, 709, 713 and717 are disposed at equal intervals of a distance d. The transfer belt726 transports the sheet at a constant velocity of v (however, it has norelation with the moving velocity v of the first mirror unit 510 of thescanner unit). The polygon mirror 701 and the semiconductor laser aredriven such that toner images are formed on the photosensitive drums insynchronization with the timing corresponding to the positional relationand the transport velocity.

[Configuration of the Finisher Unit 205]

FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of the finisher unit 205. The sheetdischarged through the fixing device 728 of the printer 202 enters thefinisher unit 205. The finisher unit 205 includes a sample tray 801 anda stack tray 802. The tray to which the sheet is discharged is switcheddepending on the job type or the number of sheets to be discharged.

There are two sorting methods. One is a bin sorting method that uses aplurality of bins to distribute outputted sheets to every bin for eachjob. The other is a shift sorting method for distributing outputtedsheets for each job by using an electric sorting function describedbelow and by shifting the bin (or tray) to the rearward and frontwarddirections in FIG. 8. The electric sort function is called “collating”.If the above-described device controller 204 has a high-capacity memory(for example, the image memory 304 or the HDD 305), a so-calledcollating function in which the order of the buffered pages and theorder in which the pages are discharged are made different using such amemory can be performed, thus supporting the electric sorting function.It should be noted that a grouping function is for sorting sheets foreach page, while the sorting distributes discharged sheets for each job.

When sheets are discharged to the stack tray 802, it is possible thatsheets that are ready to be discharged are stored for each job, andbound by a stapler 805 immediately before being discharged. In addition,a Z-folding device 804 for folding a sheet in the shape of the letter“Z” and a puncher 806 for punching two (or three) holes for filing in asheet are also provided before a sheet is discharged to either of theabove-described two trays. They perform respective processes dependingon the job type.

Further, a saddle-stitcher 807 folds sheets into two by letting thecentral area of the sheets be pinched by rollers after binding thesheets at two locations in the central area so as to manufacture abooklet such as magazines or pamphlets. The sheets subjected to bookbinding with the saddle-stitcher 807 are discharged to a booklet tray808.

In addition, although not shown in FIG. 8, it is also possible to addfinisher units for glue binding (starching) for book binding or fortrimming (cutting) to trim the end surface of the side opposite to thebound side after binding.

Also, an inserter 803 is for forwarding a sheet set in a tray 809 to oneof the trays 801, 802 and 808 without letting the sheet pass through theprinter. With the inserter 803, it is possible to insert (put in) asheet set to the inserter 803 between sheets forwarded to the finisher205. Sheets to be inserted are set by the user with the surface facingup in the tray 809 of the inserter 803. Then a pickup roller 810 feedsthe sheets in order from top to bottom into the finisher unit 205.Accordingly, by transporting the sheets from the inserter 803 directlyto the trays 801 or 802, the sheets are discharged with the surfacefacing down. When a recording sheet is forwarded to the saddle-stitcher807, the sheet is once forwarded to the side of the puncher 806, andthen forwarded to the saddle-stitcher 807 after being switched back,thereby making the surface facing directions consistent.

[External Controller 104]

Next, the configuration of the external controller 104 and operationthereof during printing are described with reference to FIG. 9. Theexternal controller 104 includes a CPU 901, a working memory 902, animage processing unit 903, an image memory 904, a high-capacity storagedevice (hereinafter referred to as the “HDD”) 905, an external networkI/F unit 906 and an internal network I/F unit 907.

The image processing unit 903 is connected to the image formingapparatus 101 via the video cable 103. The image processing unit 903 isalso connected to the image memory 904. The external network I/F unit906 is connected to the external network 105, and the internal networkI/F unit 907 is connected to the internal network 102. The CPU 901operates in accordance with programs stored in the HDD 905 andcommunicates with the computer terminal 106 and the image formingapparatus 101 via the network I/F units 906 and 907, to performprescribed processes.

Next, the operation of the external controller 104 (control by the CPU901) when a document file on the computer terminal 106 is printed isdescribed. The external controller 104 receives via the external network105 PDL data transmitted from the computer terminal 106 with theexternal network I/F unit 906. The PDL data received by the externalnetwork I/F unit 906 is accumulated in the HDD 905. Then, the CPU 901uses the image processing unit 903 to develop the PDL data accumulatedin the HDD 905 as an image in the image memory 904. The image processingunit 903 transfers the developed image to the image forming apparatus101 via the video cable 103. At this time, the CPU 901 transmits printattribute information of the developed image to the image formingapparatus 101 via the internal network I/F unit 907 and the internalnetwork 102. The print attribute information contains information on thesize or the like of the developed image and settings for printingperformed with the image forming apparatus 101 contained in the PDLdata, or the like. In this manner, the image forming apparatus 101prints an image on a sheet based on the print attribution informationtransmitted from the external controller 104 and the developed image.

[Printer Driver]

Next, a printer driver that operates on the computer terminal 106 isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the printer driver screen that is displayedwhen a document prepared with the computer terminal 106 is printed as aprinter driver screen 1001. The printer driver screen 1001 is displayedon the computer terminal 106. On the printer driver screen 1001, aprinter selected as an output printer is indicated in an output field1002. The output field 1002 is constituted as a pull-down menu, and itis also possible to select another printer. In the example of FIG. 10,the image forming apparatus 101 is selected as the output printer.

In a print range setting 1003 for setting the print range of a document,it is possible to set whether to print all pages or specified pages ofthe document. On the printer driver screen 1001, an OK key 1004 and acancel key 1005 are provided. When the OK key 1004 is pressed,conversion to PDL data for the pages of the document set in the printrange setting 1003 is performed. The PDL data obtained by the conversionis sent out to the external controller 104 connected to the imageforming apparatus 101, along with detailed settings for printingdescribed below. When the cancel key 1005 is pressed, the printer driverscreen 1001 is closed without the above conversion to PDL data andsending out of the PDL data.

A detailed setting key 1006 is provided on the printer driver screen1001, and when the detailed setting key 1006 is pressed, a detailedprint setting screen 1101 as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. In thedetailed print setting screen 1101, settings are performed for processesthat can be performed with the selected image forming apparatus and theexternal controller. That is, it is possible to perform settings ofvarious functions that can be performed with the image forming apparatus101 and the external controller 104 using the detailed print settingscreen 1101. Items whose settings can be performed with the detailedprint setting screen 1101 include, for example, the number of printedcopies or paper size, and layout, as illustrated in setting items 1102.In addition, whether or not confidential printing (described below) isperformed and a password for the confidential printing can be set infields 1103 and 1104 on the detailed print setting screen 1101. The usercan perform desired settings with the detailed print setting screen 1101described above.

When an OK key 1105 is pressed on the detailed print setting screen1101, the detailed print setting screen 1101 is closed. Then, theprinter driver screen 1001 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed again and thesettings made with the detailed print setting screen 1101 are maintainedin the computer terminal 106, When a cancel key 1106 is pressed, theprinter driver screen 1001 is displayed again. However, in this case,settings made with the detailed print setting screen 1101 are notreflected by the computer terminal 106.

[Print Status Screen]

Next, a print status screen of the operation unit 203 of the imageforming apparatus 101 is described with reference to FIG. 12. A printstatus screen 1201 is a screen that is displayed when the system statuskey 405 on the LCD display screen 401 of the operation unit 203 ispressed.

The following items are displayed on the print status screen 1201:

<Job type 1202> displays job types such as copy or PDL print. A job withthe confidential print setting is indicated as “confidential print” inthe job type, as shown in field 1203.

<Receipt time 1204> indicates for each print job the time at which thecorresponding job has been supplied to the image forming apparatus 101.

<Job name 1205> indicates the name of the job. In the case of a PDLprint job, the document file name on the computer terminal 106 of thedocument whose printing is instructed to the printer driver isdisplayed.

<Status 1206> indicates the job processing status in the image formingapparatus 101.

The print status screen 1201 contains a cancel key 1207 for canceling adesignated job, and a password input key 1208 for displaying a screen toinput a password when printing subject to the confidential print isstarted. A close key 1209 is for closing the print status screen 1201and returning the display on the LCD display screen 401 to the defaultscreen in FIG. 4.

[Confidential Printing]

Next, confidential printing in accordance with the present embodiment isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 13 to 18.

First, the user instructs printing of a desired document file with theprinter driver screen 1001 provided by the printer driver that operateson the computer terminal 106. At this time, as described above, the usercan perform settings as he/she desires with the detailed print settingscreen 1101. When the OK key 1004 on the printer driver screen 1001 ispressed, the computer terminal 106 transmits the print job, in the formof PDL data along with detailed settings, to the external controller104. The external controller 104 receives the print job transmitted fromthe computer terminal 106 (containing the PDL data and detailed settinginformation).

Upon receiving the print job, the external controller 104 interprets thereceived print job. Then, the external controller 104 transmits to thedevice controller 204 of the image forming apparatus 101 the detailedsetting information for printing of the print job containing settingsmade with the detailed print setting screen 1101 and image data obtainedby developing the PDL data of the print job into an image.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 101 is described.Processes in the steps shown in FIG. 13 are performed by the devicecontroller 204 of the image forming apparatus 101. More specifically,for example, the processes shown in FIG. 13 are performed by the CPU 301of the device controller 204 loading control programs stored in the HDD305 into the working memory 302 and executing the programs.

Upon receiving the detailed setting information of the print job fromthe external controller 104 in step S1301, the image forming apparatus101 analyzes the detailed setting information in step S1302. In stepS1303, it is judged whether the image data of the print job transmittedfrom the external controller 104 is a job to be protected byconfidential printing based on the analysis result. When it is judgedthat the job does not require confidential printing (the job does notneed to be protected), the process moves from step S1303 to step S1304.In step S1304, the image obtained by interpreting and developing the PDLdata in order is received from the external controller 104, and printedwith the printer unit 202. It should be noted that if another job beingprinted is present in the device controller 204, the job is registeredin a print waiting queue prepared in the HDD 305.

On the other hand, when the supplied job is judged as requiringconfidential printing (the job needs to be protected) in step S1303, theprocess moves to step S1305. In step S1305, the device controller 204stores the detailed setting information of the job in the HDD 305, andreceives images obtained by interpreting and developing the PDL data inorder from the external controller 104, and stores the same in the HDD305. As a result, the job to be protected is accumulated in the HDD 305.Specifically, the image of each page and information such as the papersize or the paper type of each page are stored in the HDD 305. Theprocess in this step S1305 continues until images of all the pages ofthe supplied job are accumulated in the HDD 305 (step S1306). In thecase of a job that requires confidential printing, it is made impossibleto start printing of the job until images of all the pages have beenreceived and accumulated in the HDD 305. Accordingly, on the printstatus screen, a password input key 1401 for starting printing of theconfidential print job is displayed in a grayed-out state as shown inFIG. 14, making it impossible to select the same.

When images of all the pages of the supplied confidential print job havebeen accumulated in the HDD 305, the process moves from step S1306 tostep S1307. In step S1307, a state in which the password input key 1401cannot be selected (grayed-out state) is released and it is madepossible to instruct to start printing by inputting a password.Consequently, the print status screen is displayed as a state in which apassword input key 1501 can be operated, as shown in FIG. 15. Note thatthe job in a selected state in the job list may be switchable with an upand down key 1502, so that the desired confidential print job can beselected. In this manner, when a plurality of confidential print jobsare supplied and accumulated in the HDD 305, a desired confidentialprint job can be selected.

The process moves from step S1307 to step S1308 when the password inputkey 1501 is pressed. In step S1308, in order to print the job, the imageforming apparatus 101 checks whether or not a recovery operation by theuser will occur during printing due to paper shortage or the like.

In step S1305, the device controller 204 stores in the HDD 305 printsettings made with the detailed print setting screen 1101, as well asprint information 1601 such as the paper size and the paper type usedfor printing and the required number of sheets of such paper as shown inFIG. 16. For example, the print information 1601 contains information onthe items indicated in 1602 to 1610. In this example, the items 1602 to1610 respectively represent “number of copies”, “paper size and numberof sheets per copy”, “paper type”, “discharge tray”, “discharge mode”,“stapler mode”, “color mode”, “confidential print setting”, and“confidential print password”. 1611 indicates various items (attributes)concerning printing, and 1612 indicates values of the items. 1613describes the meaning of each value indicated to describe the presentembodiment, and need not be included in the actual print information1601.

The job indicated by the print information 1601 in FIG. 16 uses 20sheets of A4 plain paper (10 sheets×2 copies) and 30 sheets of A3 plainpaper (15 sheets×2 copies), and discharges the printed output to a tray2. In addition, the sheets are stapled once on the upper left corner ofthe paper, and printed in color printing mode. The device controller 204checks the possibility of occurrence of a recovery operation based onthe print information 1601. For example, the following checking isperformed.

(1) When the setting of the item 1608 “color mode” is “color”, it ischecked whether sufficient toners of various colors (C, M, Y and K) forperforming color printing are present in the image forming apparatus101. When the setting in the item 1608 “color mode” is “monochrome”, itis checked whether sufficient black (K) toner is present in the imageforming apparatus 101. For example, when a toner thus checked is in aremaining amount warning state, it is determined that a recoveryoperation may occur.

(2) After judging the number of sheets of paper required for printingbased on the item 1603 “paper size and number of sheets per copy” andthe item 1604 “paper type”, it is checked whether such a required numberof required sheets of paper is present in the image forming apparatus101. In the example of FIG. 16, checking is performed as to “whether 20or more sheets of A4 plain paper remain” and “whether 30 or more sheetsof A3 plain paper remain”.

(3) When usage of a stapler is indicated in the item 1607 “staplermode”, it is checked “whether staples of the stapler are present”.

(4) Based on the settings of the item 1602 “number of copies”, the item1603 “paper size and number of sheets per copy” and the item 1604 “papertype”, it is checked whether an upper stacking limit of the dischargetray (tray 2) is reached during printing.

It should be noted that, for example, in order to determine whether thenumber of sheets required for printing is present in a sheet cassette,the image forming apparatus 101 is required to count the number ofsheets present in the sheet cassette. The presence of paper can bedetected by disposing a phototransmitter-receiver sensor whose opticalaxis direction coincides with the stacking direction of paper in thesheet cassette. Further, for example, by disposing a plurality ofphototransmitter-receiver sensors in the paper stacking direction whoseoptical axis direction is perpendicular to the paper stacking direction,the number of sheets in the sheet cassette can be roughly detected. Forexample, by disposing four phototransmitter-receiver sensors in thepaper stacking direction, the amount of paper in the sheet cassette canbe detected as “0 to 20%”, “20 to 40%”, “40 to 60%”, “60 to 80%” or “80%or more”. Since the number of sheets in the sheet cassette with 100% ofthe paper remaining is known, due to the above configuration, the numberof sheets remaining in the sheet cassette can be roughly known, therebyenabling the judgment of the above-described paragraph (2).

Alternatively, the following configuration can be given as an example ofanother method to determine the number of sheets remaining in the sheetcassette. The number of sheets in a full state in the sheet cassette isset in advance, and the sheet cassette is assumed to be full when papersupply is started. Then, the number of sheets used in the subsequentprint operation is counted, and is subtracted from the number of sheetsin a full state, thereby obtaining the number of sheets in the sheetcassette. With such a configuration, by replenishing sheets in the sheetcassette to a full state when paper supply is started, the exact numberof sheets in the sheet cassette can be detected. Also in paragraph (3),it is apparent that the remaining number of staples may be recognized tocheck whether a sufficient number of staples are present.

As a result of the above-described checking measures in step S1308, whenit is judged that a recovery operation by the user will occur due topaper shortage or the like during, for example, printing, the processadvances to step S1309. In step S1309, as shown in FIG. 17, a passwordinput screen 1701 is displayed that shows the fact that there is a papershortage and the details thereof. In the password input screen 1701,when a password is inputted and an OK key 1702 is pressed, the processadvances from step S1310 to step S1311. This is the procedure for whenthe user selects to start printing despite the risk of occurrence of therecovery operation. On the other hand, when a cancel key 1703 is pressedon the password input screen 1701, the process returns from step S1310to step S1307. That is, the process can be restarted from job selection.Accordingly, when the user does not want to perform a recovery operationduring confidential printing, the recovery operation predicted in thewarning display can be performed before the printing is started byselecting the cancel key 1703.

In contrast, when it is judged that a recovery operation by the user dueto paper shortage or the like will not occur during printing as a resultof the checking in step S1308, the process advances to step S1312. Instep S1312, a password input screen 1801 that does not contain a warningdisplay as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. Then, on the password inputscreen 1801, when a password is input and an OK 1802 key is pressed, theprocess advances from step S1310 to step S1311.

In step S1311, the password is verified. Specifically, it is determinedwhether the password inputted in the password input screen 1701 or thepassword input screen 1801 matches the password set in the detailedprint setting screen 1101 (password stored in the item 1610“confidential print password” of the print information 1601). When thepasswords are determined to be a match, the process advances from stepS1311 to step S1304, and printing of the subject job is started. Incontrast, when the passwords are determined to be mismatched in stepS1311, the process returns to step S1308 and becomes a password inputwaiting state in step S1309 or step S1312.

As described so far, since the presence of resources required for secureprinting is confirmed before printing is started, it is possible toreduce the occurrence of an “out of paper” error or the like afterstarting printing. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the occurrenceof a situation in which the user leaves the printing site for errorrecovery during confidential printing. As a result, the risk that athird party sees outputted materials during the absence of the user canbe reduced, and consequently confidentiality can be maintained.Moreover, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the timerequired for confidential printing is prolonged due to error recoveryfor an event such as “out of paper” after starting printing. In short,it is possible to more reliably remove the error recovery operationduring confidential printing, and to minimize the print time. Therefore,the risk that a third party sees the printed materials can be furtherreduced. Thus, confidentiality during secure printing can be increased.

In the above-described embodiment, in the job example shown in FIG. 16,it was checked whether the resources required to process the job,namely, 20 or more sheets of A4 plain paper and 30 or more sheets of A3plain paper, staples of the stapler, toners of C, M, Y and K or thelike, are present. In order to check the paper, it is necessary that thesizes and types of paper contained in each of the sheet cassettes areregistered. Such registration can be achieved by recording on the HDD305, for example, in a table format in which the sheet tray, and thepaper size and paper type contained therein are associated with eachother. While in the above-described embodiment the number of sheetscontained in the sheet cassette can be detected, in the case that only amechanism for detecting the presence of sheets in the sheet cassette isprovided, the presence of resources required for the job is determineddepending on whether the paper used for printing is present in the sheetcassette. Similarly, if the number of staples remaining in the stapler805 can be detected, the presence of resources required for the job isjudged by detecting whether staples sufficient for the number of printedcopies designated by the job remain.

Second Embodiment

In a second embodiment, in the confidential printing with the printingsystem of the first embodiment, printing of the confidential print jobis started as soon as possible so as to improve the accuracy of thechecking as to whether or not a recovery operation will occur (stepS1308). More specifically, printing of other jobs is reduced as much aspossible after the checking in step S1308 was performed, so as tosuppress fluctuation in resources caused by processing other jobs,thereby relatively improving the accuracy of the checking in step S1308.The second embodiment is described below with reference to the flowchartin FIG. 19. It should be noted that processes shown in FIG. 19 arereplaced with processes in step S1307 to step S1311 of the firstembodiment (FIG. 13).

When the password input key 1501 is pressed in step S1307, in stepS1901, it is checked whether or not there is another confidential printjob whose confidential printing has been already started. Here, whenanother confidential print job is being printed, the process moves tostep S1902 and a screen 2001 indicating that another confidential printjob is being performed as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. When a closekey 2002 is pressed, the process returns from step S1902 to step S1307.That is, the screen 2001 is closed and the print status screen as shownin FIG. 15 is displayed again. Accordingly, when another confidentialprint job is being performed, the permission to start the confidentialprinting of that job, which follows inputting a password for the job, isnot given.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S1901 that no otherconfidential print job is being printed, the processes shown in stepS1308 to step S1312 are performed. The processes in step S1308 to stepS1312 are as described in the first embodiment.

The password is verified in step S1311, and when the password isdetermined to be “OK”, the process advances to step S1903. In stepS1903, the image forming apparatus 101 compares the receiving times ofother jobs listed on the print status screen 1201 with that of theconfidential print job. If the receiving time of the confidential printjob is earlier than those of the other jobs waiting for printing, theprinting of the confidential print job is given priority so as to beprinted first. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a case where aconfidential print job is given priority so as to be printed prior to“office circular” or “meeting material” jobs waiting for printing whosereceiving times are later than that of the confidential print job.

With the processing described above, it is possible to preventfluctuation in the state of resources, which is caused by consumption ofpaper by another print job being processed prior to the confidentialprint job, for example. As a result, the accuracy of the checking instep S1308 as to whether or not the recovery operation by the user willoccur is improved.

It should be noted that the reason why it is checked in step S1901whether or not another confidential print job is being printed is toavoid a situation in which only the confidential printing is performedas a result of the confidential print being processed preferentially,and non-confidential printing is not performed. Also when there aresuccessive confidential print jobs, then other confidential print jobsare processed and paper or the like is consumed after the time ofchecking in step S1308 for a confidential print job whose printing isinstructed at a later timing. In other words, the checking accuracy instep S1308 decreases. Such a situation can be avoided by making itimpossible to input a password when another confidential print job isbeing printed in step S1901.

It should be noted that when the number of sheets contained in the sheetcassette can be detected, it is possible to judge whether a requirednumber of sheets of paper for performing the confidential print remaineven after paper has been consumed due to jobs that have been performedbefore the confidential print job. In this manner, with respect toresources whose remaining amount after consumption thereof due to jobsthat are performed before the confidential print can be estimated, it ispreferable to determine whether the resources required for theconfidential print are present by referring to the remaining statethereof. In this manner, the judgment can be made while taking intoaccount the effects of the jobs performed before the confidential printto the remaining state of resources. As a result, operability andconfidentiality can be improved.

The above-described aspect is common to all embodiments. In other words,the configuration of the present embodiment assumes, as an example ofprinting resources required to complete printing of a target job, arequired number of sheets of printing paper to complete printing of thetarget job. Alternatively, for example, toner or the like required tocomplete printing of a print target job also is, as an example of theprinting resources, included in the printing resources to be confirmedby the job control carried out by a control unit (the control unit, forexample, corresponds to the device controller 204 or the externalcontroller 104) of the present embodiment. Also for example, a sheetprocessing material (sheet binding material) or the like such assufficient staples required to complete printing of a print target jobfor which a stapling request is made, is also subject to the control asan example of the printing resources required to complete printing ofthe target job. The image forming apparatus 101 of the presentembodiment can be applied to apparatuses that are configured to use atleast one of the printing resources described above. In addition, theabove described method may be used as a method for the controlling unitof the present embodiment to confirm whether or not printing resourcesrequired to complete printing of the target job are present in the imageforming apparatus 101 (available or not). However, the method is notlimited to these examples, and any other method can be adopted.

For example, a configuration can be adopted in which an operatormanually inputs information about the remaining amount of printingresources or the like via an operation unit 203 provided in the imageforming apparatus 101, which corresponds to an example of a userinterface unit (hereinafter referred to as the “UI unit”) of the presentembodiment. Alternatively, a configuration is also possible in which theoperator manually inputs information about the remaining amount ofprinting resources or the like via the UI units (including the displaydevice, etc.) of a host computer. The following is an example of thisconfiguration. For example, the operator inputs via the UI unit theinformation with which the controlling unit can identify what kind ofprinting resources are required to complete printing of a target secureprint job and the required amounts thereof, etc. Further, the operatoralso inputs via the UI unit additional information with which thecontrolling unit can identify which kind of resources are currently setin the image forming apparatus 101 and the set amount thereof, etc.Then, based on this information, the controlling unit of the presentembodiment performs the above confirmations. After that, the controllingunit performs various job controls as described in the presentembodiment. The present invention encompasses such a configuration aswell. In this manner, any configuration is possible as long as theconfiguration can address the problems described in the section of“Description of the Related Art”, without restriction on a specificconfirmation method.

Third Embodiment

In the confidential printing with the system of the first embodiment, itis possible to adopt a configuration in which when it is determined instep S1308 that a recovery operation by the user will occur, thepassword input screen is not displayed so as to make it impossible tostart printing. In such a case, for example, it is preferable to displaya screen including only a warning (and not including the password inputarea) as shown in FIG. 22 in step S1309. Then, when a close key 2202 ispressed after a screen 2201 with warning only as shown in FIG. 22 isdisplayed, the process returns from step S1309 to step S1307. In thismanner, even when an instruction to start inputting a password isreceived, printing is prohibited from being started when it isdetermined that a recovery operation will occur.

Job control that is common to all the embodiments of the presentinvention, including this third embodiment, is described below. Acontrolling unit provided in a system of the present embodiment (forexample, the device controller 204 or the external controller 104)controls printing system 100 (or image forming apparatus 101) of thepresent embodiment as follows in order to address the problems describedin the section of “Description of the Related Art” and to achieve theabove-described effects. It should be noted that the image formingapparatus 101 is also referred to as a printing apparatus. Also, animage forming system including the present image forming apparatus 101is also referred to as a printing system.

The controlling unit of the present embodiment (for example, theabove-described device controller 204, or external controller 104)performs control such that a secure print job that corresponds to anexample of the first type print job that requires authenticationprocessing prior to printing can be received with the image formingapparatus 101 of the present embodiment. Also, the controlling unitperforms control such that a non-secure print job that corresponds to anexample of the second type print job that does not requireauthentication processing prior to printing can be received with theimage forming apparatus 101 of the present embodiment. With respect tothe image forming apparatus 101 that can receive a plurality of types ofprint jobs including the first type print job and the second type printjob, the controlling unit performs control as described below, forexample.

For example, when resources required to complete printing of a targetjob are not present (not prepared nor available) in the image formingapparatus 101, the controlling unit does not give permission to startprinting of the job with the image forming apparatus 101 (prohibits tostart printing). On the other hand, when resources required to completeprinting of the target job are present in the image forming apparatus101, the controlling unit causes printing of the job to be started withthe image forming apparatus 101 (gives permission to start printing).The controlling unit performs control such that such a specificoperation according to a situation (also referred to as a specific jobcontrol sequence) can be performed with the image forming apparatus 101.Based on such a configuration, the controlling unit performs controlsuch that the specific operation can be performed with the image formingapparatus 101 when the target job is the first type print job, not thesecond type print job, of the first type print job and the second typeprint job.

Furthermore, based on such a configuration, the controlling unitcontrols that the specific operation should be performed for which typeof job at which timing. As an example of this control, the controllingunit causes the specific operation to be performed with the imageforming apparatus 101 when (1) print data of the first type print job isstored in the storage unit of the above-described HDD or the like, and(2) the confirmation processing as to whether or not resources requiredto complete printing of the target job are present in the image formingapparatus 101 is made with respect to the first type print job, of thefirst type print job and the second type print job.

By adopting the configuration described above, the problems described inthe above section of “Description of the Related Art” can be addressed.Further, the present embodiment is configured so as to prevent anothernew problem such as a reduction in the job productivity of the entiresystem, which is caused by affecting other print jobs in exchange formaintaining confidentiality. As an example of this, the controlling unitperforms the job control described below.

As described above, the controlling unit causes the specific operationsto be performed with the image forming apparatus 101 when the target jobis the first type print job, of the first type print job and the secondtype print job. While performing such control, the controlling unitperforms different control to the second type print job (non-secureprint job that does not require authentication processing prior toprinting). If the specific operation performed with respect to the firsttype print job is referred to as a first print control sequence, thespecific operation performed with respect to the second type print jobis defined as a second print control sequence. As an example of thiscontrol, when the target job is the second type print job, thecontrolling unit gives permission to start printing the job with theimage forming apparatus 101, even when resources required to completeprinting of the job are not available in the image forming apparatus101. In other words, with respect to the first type print job, asdescribed above, the printing resources are secured in advance such thatprinting of the job is not interrupted from the start to the completionthereof. After that, printing is started after the authenticationprocessing. As a result, a situation in which printing resources for thefirst type print job run out in mid-course from the start to thecompletion of the printing of the first type print job can be prevented.On the other hand, with respect to the second type print job, asdescribed above, permission is given to start printing the sameregardless of whether or not printing of the job is interrupted inmid-course from the start to the completion thereof, in other words,without securing printing resources in advance in the image formingapparatus 101. Specifically, the second type print job allows occurrenceof a situation in which printing resources for the job run out inmid-course from the start to the completion of the printing.

Such a selective control is based on a scheme that is configured inaccordance with the point to be focused on. For example, with respect tothe latter control, although printing may stop in mid-course, the timefrom the receipt of a job to the print start of the first page of thejob (so-called first copy on time, which is abbreviated as “FCOT”) canbe shorter than with the former control. This is because printing isstarted without confirming presence of resources required to completethe entire printing of the job. Describing this in further detail,resources required to complete the entire printing of the job refer to,in other words, printing resources in an amount required to completeprinting of all the pages of the print data contained in the job in adesignated number of copies. When the controlling unit confirms printingresources required for a certain job, such a confirmation becomespossible for the controlling unit only when print data of all the pagesof a target job is stored in the storage unit such as the HDD. Forexample, there are image forming apparatuses that have a configurationin which the total number of pages of a certain job cannot be specifieduntil the PDL or other print data for all the pages is received from ahost computer, and developed into bitmaps to be stored in a memory ofthe apparatus. Also, there are printing apparatuses provided with aso-called copy function in which originals read with a scanner unit(such as the scanner unit 201) are printed with a printer unit (such asthe printer unit 202). In such printing apparatuses (image formingapparatus 101), a configuration is assumed in which the total number ofpages of the original contained in a job of the copy function cannot bespecified until all pages of the original bundle are read via an ADFprovided in the scanner unit 201 and the data of the entire pages isstored in the HDD. Therefore, when the first print control sequence isuniformly performed in the image forming apparatus 101 having aconfiguration in which the total number of print pages of the job cannotbe specified until data of all the pages is accumulated in the memory,the FCOT of the second type job is of concern. For this reason, thecontrolling unit performs the second print control sequence for thesecond type print job.

For example, the first type print job can be processed with the firstprint control sequence for the following reason. As described above, thefirst type job is the secure print job. The secure print job isoriginally a job which is not subject to the control in which the imageforming apparatus 101 automatically starts printing of the job uponreceipt thereof with its printer unit 202. In other words, it is a jobwhose printing is not allowed to be started until authentication data isinputted by the user of the job via the UI unit of the image formingapparatus 101. Thus, the secure printing has the effect that printing isstarted when the user comes in front of the image forming apparatus 101,until then the print data is maintained in the memory of the imageforming apparatus 101. In this manner, printing of the secure print jobis not started, even if print data of the job is maintained in thememory of the HDD or the like, until the user who desires to startprinting the same inputs a print start request for the job via the UIunit of the image forming apparatus 101. The print time is notsignificantly affected in case of the secure print job that stands byfor printing with maintaining the print data in the memory of the HDD orthe like in this manner. This is because accumulating the print data ofall the pages of the secure print job in the memory such as the HDD canbe completed, while the user moves from a host computer to the imageforming apparatus 101 and inputs a print start request for the job viathe UI unit of the image forming apparatus 101. Therefore, theabove-described effect can be achieved without the above-describedproblem of FCOT. The selective control according to the above job naturecan be performed with the controlling unit. When this configuration isdescribed in another way, the controlling unit performs control asfollows. The controlling unit makes it possible to perform the specificoperation with the image forming apparatus 101, when the print startrequest for the first type print job is received from the user via theUI unit provided in the image forming apparatus 101. However, when theprint start request for the first type print job has not been receivedfrom the user via the UI unit provided in the image forming apparatus101, the controlling unit does not give permission to start printing thejob regardless of whether or not resources required to complete printingof the job are available in the image forming apparatus.

An example of characteristics and effects of the configurations of theabove-described first to third embodiments are described with a morespecific example. For this purpose, the following configuration, whichis different from the first to third embodiments, is examined.

For example, when an interrupting event occurs during a confidentialprint job after the print processing of the job is started with theimage forming apparatus 101, the image forming apparatus 101 interruptsthe print processing of the job. Then, the image forming apparatus 101configures the print processing of the interrupted job according to, forexample, instructions from the operation unit 203 provided in the imageforming apparatus such that the print processing can be restarted. Sucha configuration is examined below.

In such a configuration, if the configuration allows even a third partywho is not the right user, to restart the print processing of the job,it is assumed that there is a risk that the third party may see printedmaterials of the confidential print job outputted after restarting theprint processing.

Thus, for example, the following configuration is examined in order tosolve the above-described problem.

For example, when printing of the interrupted confidential print job isrestarted, a password input screen is displayed to request the input ofa password. In this manner, it is considered possible to reduce thepossibility that a third party other than the right user restarts theprint processing of the interrupted confidential print job. Accordingly,it is considered possible to reduce the possibility that the printedmaterials that are outputted after the print processing of the jobhaving been restarted is seen by a third party.

Even in such a configuration, printed materials that have been alreadyoutputted at the time of interruption of print processing are left on adischarge tray, and are exposed to the risk to be seen by a third party.As countermeasures for this problem, the user removes the printedmaterial of the confidential print job outputted to the discharge tray.With such a measure, for example, it is thought possible to maintainconfidentiality.

However, it is anticipated that a problem that it is difficult toaddress even with such a measure remains. For example, when certainfinishing processing such as stapling is designated for a confidentialprint job, printed materials of the job that have been already outputtedat the time of interruption of print processing are removed inmid-course. In such a case, it can be anticipated that finishingprocessing cannot perform to put the outputted printed materials of thejob and remaining printed materials of the job that have not beenoutputted yet together as one bundle. In this way, it is anticipatedthat the problem remains that desired finishing processing cannot beperformed for the job.

With respect to this problem, by reducing with the configurations of thefirst to the third embodiments the possibility that printing of theconfidential print job is interrupted by an interrupting event, it ispossible to reduce the possibility that the printed materials of the jobare seen by a third party. In addition, it is possible to address a newproblem such as the one that desired finishing processing is notperformed for the confidential print job in exchange for reducing thepossibility that the printed materials of the job are seen by a thirdparty.

It is also possible to prevent another new problem, such as thataddressing the above-described problems affects the productivity ofother jobs.

With the configurations of the first to the third embodiments, thepossibility that the printed materials of the confidential print job areseen by a third party can be reduced. In addition, it is possible toaddress a new problem that desired finishing processing is not performedfor the confidential print job. Furthermore, it is possible to preventanother new problem, such as that addressing the above-describedproblems affects the productivity of other jobs.

The configuration that can address these problems is also one of thecharacteristics of the present application.

Further, an example of characteristics and effects of theabove-described first to third embodiments is described with referenceto another specific example. For this purpose, the followingconfiguration, which is different from the first to third embodiments,is examined.

For example, the image forming apparatus 101 receives, along with PDLdata of a print job for which a print request was made, print settinginformation for the print job, and saves the received PDL data and theprint setting information in the HDD. Next, the image forming apparatus101 judges whether or not the print job is a confidential print jobbased on the print setting information. When the image forming apparatus101 judges that the print job is the confidential print job, it predictswhether or not an interrupting event will occur during the print jobbefore starting print processing of the print job. Then, when the imageforming apparatus 101 predicts that the interrupting event will occur,it prohibits printing of the print job from being started. Subsequently,the image forming apparatus 101 performs a process to develop the PDLdata of the print job to image data after receiving an instruction tostart printing of the print job, and performs printing. Such aconfiguration will be examined.

With such a configuration, when an instruction is provided to startprinting of a print job whose start of printing has been prohibited, itis assumed that it takes time until printing of the first page isactually started after the instruction to start printing. This isbecause time is required to develop the PDL data of the print job toimage data after the instruction to start printing of the print job,before printing of the first page is started. Further, time to predictwhether or not an interrupting event will occur during the print job isalso required.

On the other hand, as in the above-described first to third embodiments,for example, the image forming apparatus 101 maintains in advance imagedata obtained by developing the PDL data of the confidential print jobin the HDD, when it is prohibited to start printing of the job.Moreover, a configuration is adopted in which whether or not aninterrupting event will occur during the confidential print job ispredicted before the instruction to start printing is provided.Accordingly, when printing a print job whose start of printing has beenprohibited is restarted, it is possible to address a problem that timeis required after the instruction to start printing, before printing ofthe first page is started.

For example, the image forming apparatus 101 predicts that aninterrupting event will occur during the confidential print job whenresources required to complete printing of the confidential print jobare not present in the image forming apparatus 101. Therefore, anexample of the method for the image forming apparatus 101 to determinewhether or not resources required to complete printing of theconfidential print job are present in the image forming apparatus 101 isdescribed below.

Initially, the image forming apparatus 101 assesses resources requiredto complete printing of the confidential print job. Next, based on theassessed required resources, the image forming apparatus 101 judgeswhether or not resources required to complete the printing are presentin the image forming apparatus 101. Methods for these will beindividually described more specifically.

First, the method with which the image forming apparatus 101 assessesthe amount of resources required to complete printing of theconfidential print job is described.

The image forming apparatus 101 obtains the number of pages required tocomplete printing of the job based on developed image data, for example.Then, the image forming apparatus 101 calculates the number of sheetsrequired to complete printing of the job based on the number of pages,and information relating to print layout and simplex/duplex printingsetting contained in the detailed setting information of the job.

For example, the image forming apparatus 101 develops PDL data of areceived job into image data and assesses that image data corresponds to80 pages. When 2 in 1 printing is set as the print setting informationof the job, the image forming apparatus 101 calculates that 40 sheets ofpaper (80 pages÷2) will be discharged to complete printing of the job.Moreover, when the two-sided printing is further set in addition to 2 in1 printing as the print setting information of the job, the imageforming apparatus 101 calculates that 20 sheets of paper (80 pages÷2÷2)will be discharged. That is, the image forming apparatus 101 developsPDL data into image data to obtain the total number of pages of a job,and divides the obtained number of pages with the number of pages to beprinted on one sheet of paper, so as to obtain the number of sheets ofpaper required to complete the job.

In this manner, the image forming apparatus 101 assesses the amount ofresources required to complete printing of the confidential print job.

Next, the image forming apparatus 101 predicts whether or not aninterrupting event will occur during print processing of the targetconfidential print job based on the assessed required resources. As anexample of the method for predicting occurrence of the interruptingevent, a method with which the image forming apparatus 101 judgeswhether or not the required resources are present in the image formingapparatus 101 is described.

For example, the image forming apparatus judges whether or not arequired number of sheets of paper to complete printing of the targetconfidential print job is present in the sheet cassette 722 or 723(hereinafter, the sheet cassette 722 or 723 is merely referred to assheet cassette). For this purpose, the image forming apparatus 101 isrequired to maintain information on the number of sheets of paper in thesheet cassette.

Initially, a method for the image forming apparatus 101 to maintain theinformation on the number of sheets of paper is described. When it isdetected by a sensor provided in the sheet cassette for example, thatpaper was replenished in the sheet cassette, the image forming apparatus101 determines that the sheet cassette is replenished with paper to afull state. For example, when it is detected that paper was replenishedin the sheet cassette that can contain 500 sheets of paper, the imageforming apparatus 101 determines that the sheet cassette contains 500sheets of paper. Then, the image forming apparatus 101 stores in the HDDthe information that the sheet cassette contains 500 sheets of paper.

After that, when paper is outputted, the image forming apparatus 101counts the number of the outputted sheets of print paper with a counter,for example, and subtracts the counted value from the number of sheetsof paper stored in the HDD. For example, when the image formingapparatus 101 counts 20 sheets of paper that have been discharged, itsubtracts 20 from 500, which is the number of sheets of paper in thesheet cassette, and stores in the HDD the information that 480 sheets ofpaper are left in the sheet cassette.

With such a method, the image forming apparatus 101 obtains informationon the number of sheets of paper in the sheet cassette.

Then, the image forming apparatus 101 compares the number of sheetsrequired to complete the target confidential print job with the numberof sheets of paper in the sheet cassette. The image forming apparatus101 determines that there are sufficient sheets of paper in the sheetcassette when the number of sheets of paper in the sheet cassette islarger than the number of sheets of paper required to complete thetarget confidential print job.

In this manner, the image forming apparatuses 101 of the first to thirdembodiments judge whether or not the required resources are present inthe image forming apparatus 101.

In addition, when a received job is a confidential print job, the imageforming apparatus 101 of the first to third embodiments do not givepermission to start print processing of the job, until the job isselected as the target job and the password thereof is inputted. As aresult, when the received job is a confidential print job, the imageforming apparatus 101 performs the following processes after receipt ofthe job until the password thereof is inputted: The image formingapparatus 101 performs a process of developing PDL data into image data.Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 101 performs confirmationprocessing as to the presence of resources required to complete theprinting of the job after the job is received, before the printing isstarted as a result of the password being inputted.

Consequently, the image forming apparatus 101 of the first to thirdembodiments do not have to perform the above processes after the userprovides an instruction to start printing of the job, and therefore donot have the problem that time is required before output of the firstpage of the job is started by the image forming apparatus 101.

In this manner, with the configurations of the first to thirdembodiments, it is possible to address the problem that when printing ofa print job whose start of printing has been prohibited is restarted,time is required after the user provides the instruction to start theprinting until printing of the first page is started.

The configuration that can address such a problem is also one of thecharacteristics of the present application.

It should be noted that the resources required to complete theconfidential print job described in each of the above-describedembodiments refer to resources used to print the job after the printprocessing of the job has been started until the completion thereof.Accordingly, for example, when resources required to complete theconfidential print job are not present in the image forming apparatus101, the resources in the image forming apparatus 101 run out and theprint processing is interrupted after the image forming apparatus 101has started printing of the job before the completion thereof. On theother hand, when resources required to complete the confidential printjob are present in the image forming apparatus 101, printing of the jobcan be completed without being interrupted in the mid-course of theprint processing of the job.

As a result of considering characteristics and productivity of each ofplural types of jobs described above, the present embodiment isconfigured to perform the above-described control. However, aconfiguration may be adopted in which the controlling unit controls theimage forming apparatus 101 such that the image forming apparatus 101operates based on the first print control sequence regardless of whetherthe target job is the first type print job or the second type print job.It is possible with such a configuration to achieve an effect ofsimplifying apparatuses or the like. However, even with such aconfiguration, the configuration is such that at least the problemsinvolving the secure print job can be addressed.

Other Embodiments

In the above-described embodiments, a print job is developed into imageswith the external controller 104, and the images are accumulated in theHDD of the image forming apparatus 101. However, there is no limitationto this. It is also possible that the image forming apparatus 101 hasfunctions as a printer, and develops a print job sent from the computerterminal 106 into images for itself to accumulate the same in the HDD.In this case, the external controller 104 can be omitted.

Also in the above-described embodiments, the confidential print job ismaintained in the HDD in the form of a developed image. However, thereis no limitation to this. The confidential print job may be maintainedin the form of PDL data and detailed setting information transmittedfrom the external computer terminal. In this case, the PDL data isdeveloped into images when authentication is obtained using a passwordand printing is actually performed.

In the above-described embodiments, when it is judged that resourcesrequired to perform the confidential printing will run out, such aneffect is displayed before a password (authentication information) isinputted. However, when it is judged that the resources will run out, itis sufficient if such an effect is informed before starting theconfidential printing to take necessary countermeasures. Therefore, aconfiguration is also possible in which a warning to the effect that theresources will run out is provided after the authentication informationis inputted and the input of the authentication information is canceled.

It should be noted that the present invention includes a case where asoftware program is provided to a system or an apparatus directly orremotely, and the functions of the embodiments described above areachieved by the computer of the system or the apparatus reading out theprovided program code and executing the same. In this case, the providedprogram is a program that supports the flowchart shown in the drawingswith respect to the embodiments.

As a result, program code that is installed on a computer in order torealize the function processing of the present invention on the computeralso realizes the present invention. Specifically, the present inventionincludes computer programs for realizing the function processing of thepresent invention.

In such a case, the computer programs may be in the form of a programexecuted by an object code or an interpreter, script data supplied to anOS or the like, so long as they function as a program.

Recording media to provide the program include, for example, a floppy(registered trademark) disk, hard disk, optical disk, magnetic opticaldisk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card,ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

Other methods for providing the program include downloading the computerprogram of the present invention to a storage medium such as a hard diskfrom an internet website by accessing the website with a browser of aclient computer. In this case, the downloaded program may be acompressed file provided with an automated-install function. Also, thefunctions of the embodiments can be achieved by program codesconstituting the program of the present invention being divided into aplurality of files, and each of which being downloaded from differentwebsites. In short, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users todownload program files for realizing the function processing of thepresent invention on the computer is also included in the presentinvention.

It is also possible that the program of the present invention isencrypted and stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, anddistributed to the user. In this case, it is possible to allow a userwho has satisfied predetermined conditions to download key informationto decrypt from a website through Internet, so that the user executesthe encrypted program with the key information to install the program onthe computer.

In addition to realizing the functions of the above-describedembodiments by a computer executing a program read out, the functions ofthe embodiments may be realized in cooperation with an OS or the likethat operates on the computer based on instructions of the program. Inthis case, the OS or the like performs part or the whole of actualprocessing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments arerealized by the processing.

Furthermore, part or the whole of the functions of the above-describedembodiments may be realized by a program read out from a recordingmedium being written in a memory provided in a function expansion boardinserted in a computer or a function expansion unit connected to acomputer. In this case, after the program is written in the functionexpansion board or the function expansion unit, a CPU or the like of thefunction expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part orthe whole of actual processing, based on instructions of the program.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Applications No.2005-347937, filed Dec. 1, 2005 and No. 2006-293156, filed Oct. 27, 2006which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A printing system capable of receiving aplurality of types of print jobs including a first type of print jobthat requires authentication processing prior to printing and a secondtype of print job that does not require authentication processing priorto printing, the printing system comprising: a job determining unitconfigured to determine whether a target job is the first type of printjob that requires the authentication processing necessary in order tostart printing of the target job or is the second type of print job thatdoes not require the authentication processing; a resource determiningunit configured to determine whether a quantity of a resource requiredto complete printing of the target job exists in the printing system;and a controller configured to cause the printing system to execute theauthentication processing necessary to start printing of the target job,wherein, when the job determining unit determines the target job is thefirst type of print job, the controller causes the printing system tostart the printing of the target job after the printing system executesthe authentication processing necessary to start printing of the targetjob, if the resource determining unit determines that the quantity ofthe resource required to complete the target job exists in the printingsystem, and when the job determining unit determines the target job isthe second type of print job, the controller causes the printing systemto start the printing of the target job without determination by theresource determining unit.
 2. The printing system according to claim 1,wherein the controller causes the printing system to execute theauthentication processing after: print data of the first type of printjob is stored in a storage unit, and confirmation processing isperformed for the first type of print job, wherein the confirmationprocessing is to confirm whether or not the quantity of the resourcerequired to complete printing of the target job exists in the printingsystem.
 3. The printing system according to claim 1, wherein theresource includes at least one of a printing medium required to completeprinting of the target job, a toner required to complete printing of thetarget job, and a sheet processing material required to completeprinting of the target job.
 4. The printing system according to claim 1,wherein the resource includes a stacking unit on which a printing mediumthat is outputted as a result of executing the target job is stacked,and the controller allows the printing system to start printing of thetarget job in a case where the target job is the first type of print joband the printing medium that is outputted as a result of executing thetarget job can be stacked on the stacking unit.
 5. The printing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller informs a user that thequantity of resource required to complete printing of the target jobdoes not exist in the printing system before starting printing of thetarget job in a case where the target job is the first type of print joband the quantity of the resource required to complete printing of thetarget job does not exist in the printing system.
 6. The printing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the printing system is capable of printingprint data received from at least one of an original reading device anda host computer and stored in a storage unit that can store print dataof the plurality of types of print jobs.
 7. The printing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the controller: allows reception from auser of a print start request for the first type of print job that isstored in a storage unit capable of storing print data of the pluralityof types of print jobs, via a user interface unit included in an imageforming apparatus of the printing system; allows the printing system toexecute the authentication processing in a case where the print startrequest for the first type of print job is received from the user viathe user interface unit included in the image forming apparatus of theprinting system; and causes the printing system not to start printing ofthe print job regardless of whether or not the quantity of resourcerequired to complete printing of the print job exists in the printingsystem, in a case where the print start request for the first type ofprint job has not been received from the user via the user interfaceunit provided in the image forming apparatus of the printing system. 8.The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the controller causesthe printing system to store a received first type of print job in astorage unit, urges a user to input authentication information in a casewhere the first type of print job stored in the storage unit is selectedas the target job, and causes the printing system to perform theauthentication processing using the inputted authentication informationand authentication information contained in the target job.
 9. Theprinting system according to claim 8, wherein the controller causes theprinting system to store image data obtained by developing print data ofthe first type of print job in the storage unit, and prohibits theauthentication processing until storing the image data is completed. 10.The printing system according to claim 8, wherein the controllercontrols so that the target job is executed by the printing system priorto other jobs waiting for printing in a case where authentication isobtained by the authentication processing.
 11. The printing systemaccording to claim 8, wherein the controller prohibits theauthentication processing in a case where another job is being executedby the printing system at the time the print job of the first type isselected as the target job and the job being executed is another firsttype of print job.
 12. The printing system according to claim 8, whereinthe controller determines a state of the resource after performingprinting of the job being performed or the job to be performed andjudges whether or not the quantity of the resource required to completeprinting of the target job exists in the printing system, in a casewhere there is a job being executed or a job that is to be executed,before causing the printing system to execute printing of the first typeof print job.
 13. A method for controlling a printing system capable ofreceiving a plurality of types of print jobs including a first type ofprint job that requires authentication processing prior to printing anda second type of print job that does not require authenticationprocessing prior to printing, comprising the steps of: determiningwhether a target job is the first type of print job that requires theauthentication processing necessary in order to start printing of thetarget job or is the second type of print job that does not require theauthentication processing; determining whether a quantity of a resourcerequired to complete printing of a target job exists in the printingsystem; causing the printing system to execute the authenticationprocessing for allowing the printing system to start printing of thetarget job; and causing, when the target job is the first type of printjob, the printing system to start the printing of the target job afterthe authentication processing necessary to start printing of the targetjob is executed, if it is determined that the quantity of the resourcerequired to complete the target job exists in the printing system; andcausing when the job determining unit determines the target job is thesecond type of print job, the printing system to start printing of thetarget job without determining whether the quantity of the resourcerequired to complete the target job exists in the printing system. 14.The method for controlling a printing system according to claim 13,further comprising the step of: causing the printing system to executethe authentication processing after: print data of the first type ofprint job is stored in a storage unit, and confirmation processing isperformed for the first type of print job, wherein the confirmationprocessing is processing to confirm whether or not the quantity of theresource required to complete printing of the target job exists in theprinting system.
 15. The method for controlling a printing systemaccording to claim 13, wherein the resource includes at least one of aprinting medium required to complete printing of the target job, a tonerrequired to complete printing of the target job, and a sheet processingmaterial required to complete printing of the target job.
 16. The methodfor controlling a printing system according to claim 13, wherein theresource includes a stacking unit on which a printing medium that isoutputted as a result of executing the target job is stacked, and themethod further comprises the step of allowing the printing system tostart printing of the target job when the target job is the first typeof print job and the printing medium that is outputted as a result ofexecuting the target job can be stacked on the stacking unit.
 17. Themethod for controlling a printing system according to claim 13, furthercomprising the step of informing a user that the quantity of theresource required to complete printing of the target job does not existin the printing system before starting printing of the target job in acase where the target job is the first type of print job and thequantity of the resource required to complete printing of the target jobdoes not exist in the printing system.
 18. The method for controlling aprinting system according to claim 13, wherein the printing system iscapable of printing print data, from at least one of an original readingdevice and a host computer, that is stored in a storage unit that canstore print data of the plurality of types of print jobs.
 19. The methodfor controlling a printing system according to claim 13, furthercomprising the steps of: allowing the printing system to receive from auser a print start request for the first type of print job that isstored in a storage unit capable of storing print data of the pluralityof types of print jobs, via a user interface unit included in an imageforming apparatus of the printing system; allowing the printing systemto execute the authentication processing in a case where the print startrequest for the first type of print job is received from the user viathe user interface unit included in the image forming apparatus of theprinting system; and causing the printing system not to start printingof the print job regardless of whether or not the quantity of theresource required to complete printing of the print job exists in theprinting system, in a case where the print start request for the firsttype of print job has not been received from the user via the userinterface unit provided in the image forming apparatus of the printingsystem.
 20. The method for controlling a printing system according toclaim 13, further comprising the steps of: causing the printing systemto store a received first type of print job in a storage unit, urging auser to input authentication information; and causing the printingsystem to perform authentication processing using the inputtedauthentication information and authentication information contained inthe target job.
 21. The method for controlling a printing systemaccording to claim 20, further comprising the steps of: causing theprinting system to store image data obtained by developing print data ofthe first type of print job in the storage unit; and prohibiting theauthentication processing until storing of the image data is completed.22. The method for controlling a printing system according to claim 20,further comprising the step of: causing the printing system to executethe target job prior to other jobs waiting for printing in a case whereauthentication is obtained by the authentication processing.
 23. Themethod for controlling a printing system according to claim 20, furthercomprising the step of: prohibiting authentication processing by theprinting system in a case where another job is being executed by theprinting system at the time the first type of print job is selected asthe target job and the other job being executed is another first type ofprint job.
 24. The method for controlling a printing system according toclaim 20, further comprising the steps of, in a case where there is ajob being executed or a job that is to be executed before causing theprinting system to execute printing of the first type of print job,determining a state of resources after executing printing of the jobbeing performed or the job to be performed, and judging whether or notthe quantity of the resource required to complete printing of the targetjob exists in the printing system.
 25. An image forming apparatus thatperforms the method for controlling a printing system according to claim13.
 26. A controller of a printing system that performs the method forcontrolling a printing system according to claim
 13. 27. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium in which a program forcausing a computer to perform the method for controlling a printingsystem according to claim 13 is stored.